1985 Profile: Rich Bordi

"At the close of the 1984 season, many skeptics questioned what the Yankees pitching staff would like in 1985. But those queries were raised before the front office acquired some help, including right-hander Rich Bordi.
Bordi, who came over from the Cubs along with Henry Cotto, Ron Hassey and Porfi Altamirano, gives New York plenty of depth in the long relief-spot starter department. That was also the job of the 6'7", 220 lb. hurler in Chicago's 1984 pennant race. He made 24 relief appearances and seven starts for a 5-2 record and four saves.
An all-around athlete (Rich was offered a football scholarship to Nebraska), the big man from the San Francisco area will be able to adapt to any role asked of him. And with the help of the Yankees pitching coaches, Bordi may find himself in a pennant race for the second consecutive season."

-The New York Yankees Official 1985 Yearbook

"Bordi spent his first full season at the major league level in 1984. Used primarily in relief, he earned his first win on May 20 against Houston and from May 9-June 9, allowed only three earned runs in 25.2 innings pitched, a 1.05 ERA. Rich was pitching a 1-hit shutout against Philadelphia on July 31 before Juan Samuel homered in the ninth to tie the game. He was on the 15-day disabled list August 7-22 with back spasms.
In 1983 Rich was 7-2 in 18 games at Iowa (AAA) with 17 games started and six complete games. He was recalled from Iowa on August 11 and made his first start for the Cubs on August 13 in New York. Rich earned his first career save on September 2 against Houston.
Assigned to West Haven in 1980 after signing his first pro contract, Rich was the final player signed by former A's owner Charles Finley. He completed six of nine starts before his recall by Oakland. He made one appearance for the A's, against Detroit. With Oakland in 1981, Rich made one appearance each against Texas and Chicago and tied for the Pacific Coast League lead with 15 complete games while at Tacoma. For Salt Lake City in 1982, he had a 12-9 record with 118 strikeouts and eight complete games; Rich was recalled by the Mariners on July 28 and suffered his first major league loss on August 1 at California.
Rich played Little League, American Legion and Babe Ruth League baseball in South San Francisco. A graduate of El Camino High School, he lettered in both baseball and football and earned MVP honors in baseball. Rich was offered a football scholarship to Nebraska and baseball scholarships to Fresno State, Stanford, USC and Arizona State. He majored in criminology at Fresno State, earning three letters in baseball, and was selected MVP in his junior and senior years.
His hobbies include hunting and golf."

-1985 New York Yankees Information Guide